By Sylvanus
Acha’ana
Classification
of African leaders’ riches: No smoke without fire
Take it or not, African leaders or better still, a chunk of
them are wealthy; very wealthy. Either genuinely or by orthodox means, it
makes no difference. What makes the difference is to know how rich they were
before ascending to power.
The stunning revelations made by an online news site last
week and which later went viral on the internet and newspapers did not appear
shocking to many observers; including myself. Tell me, who in Cameroon did not
know that President Biya is staggeringly rich? Or which Equato-Guinean does not
know that their leader, Teodoro Obiang Nguema is appallingly wealthy? The
report may just have come in time to corroborate long-held speculations on the
riches of the African dictators. Great thinkers propound that: “there is no
smoke without fire.”
Some of the leaders have contested the research and
corrections have been made. Though President Biya’s songbird came out the other
day arguing that the news site, an American economic magazine, Forbes,
purported to have published the classification has disclaimed the publication,
reputable news website, cameroon-info.net has reiterated the existence of a
classification of African leaders’ riches by richestlifestyle.com.
But what stroke me most was the status of the
leaders; dictators in their numbers:
Jose Eduardo dos Santos of
Angola, 34 years in power with a net worth of $20
billion, Mohammed VI of Morocco, 15 years in power plus a net worth of $2.5
billion, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, 34 years in power with an estimated wealth
of $600 million, Paul Biya of Cameroon, 31 years in power with an estimated
wealth of $200 million, King Mswati III of Swaziland, 28 years in power with a net worth $100 million, Robert Mugabe of
Zimbabwe, 26 years in
power with
a net worth of $10 million.
Their staggering loot no doubt is justified by
their extensive stay in power and their affluent life styles.. While some of
them have successfully manoeuvred national constitutions to maintain grip on
power, others like the Moroccan emir have eventually declared their countries
kingdoms and established themselves as unchallengeable potentates. They make
good use of their indubitable authority to reserve a quarter of the country’s
riches in their private accounts.
When the news infested the media, Nigeria’s
President Goodluck Jonathan whose name was also initially introduced amongst
the rich African leaders immediately retorted with a disclaimer. He spewed out
venom and triggered hell to break loose. He challenged the website to show
prove of their findings and threatened to follow them up. Consequently, the
authors of the research hurriedly expunged Jonathan’s name from the list. They
certainly were not sure of their findings on the Nigerian leader’s private wealth.
Just like Jonathan, President Biya who featured 5th
in the ranking dispatched his usual advocate, sweet-talking communication
minister, Tchiroma Issa to swing and grapple to water down the allegations of
the US-based site. In his usual characteristic eloquence, the Garoua elite
mounted the rostrum, ranted and babbled, describing the allegations as ‘false’
and denigrating.
But his bluster seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
The website stood its grounds and Mr. Biya’s name has remained on the list as
fifth richest African leader. Their resolve to maintain Biya’s name on the list
cannot be contested is evident of their firm confidence on the allegation of
Biya’s riches.
For those who want proves, I do not stand a better
position to furnish them with evidence; given that I am not the author of the
allegations. But, can there be any smoke without fire?
Footnote: Those who visit or live in Yaounde
should find time to make a trip to Rond Point Bastos. While there, turn
westwards and face the American embassy and your eyes would have much to
reveal.
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